Obituary of Ralph W. Smith

Ralph W. Smith, age 95, of Quaker Hill, Town of Western, passed away Friday, February 1, at Rome Hospital after being stricken at home. He was born in Stanwix on April 8, 1917 to the late Gordon Smith and Frances Smith. He was one of eight children and his only sister passed away when she was five years old. The family moved to Coonrod when he was very young and he attended the one room school house. When he was 12, he walked two miles to work on his great uncle's farm, which he did throughout his early life. For a short while, he worked at General Cable in Rome. On October 19, 1940, he married the former Kathryn Moskin, a special union of 72 years. They lived on a rented farm in Coonrod, for a year and started farming with one cow and a team of horses. He bought his first tractor in 1941, although his neighbors told him that he was nuts. In 1944, they moved to Quaker Hill to a rented farm on Whaley Road, and then to a rundown farm on Quaker Hill, where he farmed until he could not do it anymore at the age of 92. He never actually retired. It broke his heart when his legs wouldn't take him to the farm. He never lost his sharp mind and keen wit. On purchasing this farm, he worked hard to improve it and before long, purchased a farm across the road and another down the road and another until acquiring five farms. He loved his farm. When his sons Dick and Ronnie grew up, they joined him on the farm. Together, the farm was improved with new buildings and modern machinery. Above all, he loved and cared for his family. Ralph will be remembered for being a caring and sensitive man, having a special soft spot for children and older people. His philosophy on raising children is to conquer them with kindness. His caring extended to everyone. He was always ready to help anyone in need. In his later years, he did what he could to check up on older neighbors. Ralph is survived by his wife, Kitty; a daughter and son in law, Marie and Brian Billings of Georgetown, KY; four sons and three daughters in law, Richard and Janet Smith of Quaker Hill, Joseph and Elaine Smith of Westernville, Garry Smith of Quaker Hill, and Ronald and Sharon Smith of Quaker Hill; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 3 great, great grandchildren; one brother and sister in law, Joseph and Sally Smith of Verona; a sister in law Mary Englebrecht of Rome; a brother in law, Michael Moskin of Quaker Hill, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five brothers, Robert, Edward, Fredric, Myron and Raymond; a sister, Georgia; and a longtime friend, Anthony "Tony" Krzewinski. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 AM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial will be in the spring at Westernville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Western Fire Department. Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com